NDMA issues alert as heavy rains expected to lash country next week

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued advisory alerts to authorities concerned to take preventive measures over widespread rains predicted next week.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rains and thunderstorms across the country during the coming week.

Spokesman of Met Office informed that monsoon currents are expected to penetrate in upper parts of Pakistan from Sunday/Monday that will grip most parts of the country during the mid week. A westerly wave is also expected to grip upper parts of the country during the mid week.

In Punjab and Kashmir, rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is expected at a number of places in Islamabad, Upper Punjab (Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad divisions), and Kashmir during Monday to Thursday.

Rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are also expected at scattered places in southern Punjab (D.G. Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur and Sahiwal divisions) during Tuesday to Thursday.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan region, rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls is expected at scattered places fromTuesday to Thursday.

In Sindh and Balochistan, rain and thunderstorm with moderate to heavy falls expected at scattered places in Sindh and eastern Balochistan (Zhob, Sibbi, Naseerabad and Kalat divisions) from Friday to Sunday.

The spokesman further informed heavy rainfall may generate urban flooding and flash floods in vulnerable areas particularly in rainwater drains of parts of Punjab, KP and Azad Kashmir.

The intermittent rains also increases the risk of landslides in hilly areas of upper KP particularly Malakand, Hazara divisions, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

Therefore, the NDMA has issued alerts to the authorities concerned to stay alert and advised them to take preventive measures to avoid material and human losses.

The lead disaster management agency has suggested clearing sewerage and drainage systems in all major cities, especially in Karachi. The recent spell of rainfall wreaked havoc inundating various low-lying localities in the city.

The NDMA has also asked the authorities in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar to evacuate neighbourhoods along drains and rivers and other water courses well ahead of the expected downpours.

Furthermore, it states that medium to high flood is expected in the River Chenab between July 9 and 13 at Marala and between July 11 and 13 in upstream River Jhelum at Mangala.

A medium to high flood is also expected in catchment areas of River Ravi and the River Chenab, northeastern Balochistan and KP.

The recent monsoon rains have already claimed 46 lives this year across the country. Pakistan endured at least five major floods during the last five years causing massive huge human and financial losses.